The South Korean firm also issued a statement, calling the selfie a "historic moment" and noting both the device Ortiz used to take the photo, and that the company had spoken to Ortiz before the visit in how best to use photography for the fans.

This may have delighted Samsung itself and its customers, but the White House is less than impressed. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, press secretary Jay Carney said the government's lawyers object to the commercial use of the image.

"As a rule the White House objects to attempts to use the president's likeness for commercial purposes," Carney said. "And we certainly object in this case."

The Obama Administration may not be happy with the use of the U.S. President in a bit of free promotion for the company, but considering the popularity of selfie-taking, you cannot deny that it isn't great marketing. Even if Samsung stops using the image today, the tweets and subsequent media reports have already finished the job.